Changeable sign



April 7, 1959 s. J. CYGAN' CHANGEABLE SIGN Fild' Oct. 51. 1956 INVENTORE STANLEY J. CYGAN 7 BY mhlqmz 2 a M w ATT'YS United t waPefinfiQu k.

2,880,537 CHANGEIABLE'SIGN A Stanley J. Cy gan, Chicago, Ill., vassignor to Poster Products, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 31', 1956, SerialNo; 619,426

was... (Cl. 40-142 .-This invention relates to a changeablesi'gn of the type wherein letters or other characters are removably mount ed on a signboard.

.The invention has for an important object the provision of a lightweight changeable 'signwhich is very attractive while being durable and versatile yet economical.

A particular object is to provide a changeable sign entirely constructed of attractive, economical and lightweight plastic materials, which has diverse applications and is especially suited for use in retail establishments while maintaining the decor.

, Another object is to provide a sign which may readily be mounted in various locations or moved from place to place, due to its compact and lightvconstruction', and. on

hich the letters or other characters may be changed at will.

. An additional object is toprovide characters: changeably mountable on a signboard which are light, attractive and durable yet economical, and which may be mounted and removed over and over without damaging them and yet which may be discarded if desired, due to their inexpen- "sive nature. 7 v

A further object is to providea signboard and characters each constructed of a single sheet ofthcrmoplastic material, desirably molding each from a flat sheet.

Another object is to provide a sign construction 'wherein removable characters may bemounted simply by pressing them on the board, and removed simply by pulling them away from the board. Thev characters are also advantageously constructedso that they are stretchable, and mounting may be assisted by stretching the characters slightly. 7 v

A further object is to provide, a sign wherein 'the s'urface constitutes a plurality, of strips alternating with a plurality of channels or slots, and a selected number of ,channels at'predetermined spacings are recessed or undercut for engaging the characters, with the surface "of the board marked for identifying the channels having recessed sides. v

An additional object is to provide a sign wherein characters of different sizes may be mounted rapidly and accurately, particularly small letters and dots, dashes and similar indicia.

Thesev and other objects of the invention will be apparent'on reference to the'specification and to the attached drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational and schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the changeable sign, illustrating the arrangements for mounting indicia of different sizes and in varying locations;

, Figure 2 is an enlarged back orbottom perspective .view of the letter as provided in a preferred form of the invention; 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged'partial vertical sectional view villustrating a double-face embodiment of the sign, show- .ing theletter o and'a dash'mountedon'the' opposite sides thereof; and

2,880,537 Patented Apr. 7, 1-959 The signboard includes a plurality of spaced parallel elongated strip portions comprising the surface of the sheet, and a corresponding plurality of spaceddepending parallel elongated channel portions formed in the sheet and alternating with' the strip portions". Thesignboard thus presents a very" pleasing appearance, due to a number of parallel surface strips and relatively narrow channels with all visible surfaces being uniformly attractive plastic material.

The characters mountable on the signboard may be letters of the alphabet, numerals, or other indicia or may represent articles or may be pictorial in nature. They constitute flexible resilient thermoplastic sheet material formed into three-dimensional characters having dependent integral flanges bent toward each other for engagement in the channels or slots of the signboard and for being retained thereon by the resiliency of the characters.

Referring to the drawings; a perferred embodiment of the changeable sign is illustrated in Figure 1 and generally indicated by the numeral 1. The sign includes a 'signboard 2 which is continuous and constitutes sheet material having a plurality of spaced parallel elongated strip portions 3 of equal width formed therein. A corresponding plurality of spaced depending parallel elongated channel portions '4 are formed in the unitary sheet or signboard 2. These channel portions are relatively narrow as compared to the strip portions 3, their widths being equal at the mouths thereof and being ab'out one fourth of the width of the strip portions. The sheet 2 may be mounted on a base 5 of any suitable material, such as wood or metal, for assisting in mounting the sign 1 in various locations. The sign is especially adapted for mounting wherever desired, such 'as on a wall, over a partition wall, on or'extendi'n'g from a post or column, hanging back to back in aisles, and in other convenient locations.

The narrow strip portions 3 have flat outer or upper surfaces and together form t'he'flat outer surface 6 of'the signboard '2. It is this surface "upon which the characters, such asthe-letters of the alphabet illustrated, are mounted, with the bases or backs 7 of the characters (see Figure 4) resting thereon.

Of the channels 4, a number are substantially U-shaped, and a selected number at predetermined spacings or locations have a side which is recessed or'undercut with 'respect to the integral 'strip'portion 3 from which it'decharacters so that they are maintained on the signboard 2 by resilience of the characters, the recessed sides are inclined in opposite directions on each's'ide of the center of the signboard 2, the'cen'ter being between the channels "E 'and' F. --In both c'ases,-the inclination is-towardsthe center of the signboard. An exception-is the-'channel-C for engaging the lower flange of the dot. The essential 3 requirement is that for each character, at least two sides which are recessed towards each other be provided in different channels 4- for engaging a pair of opposed flanges on the character.

The embodiment of Figure 1 is single-faced, having one signboard 2, and is constructed for mounting the base 5 against a wall or other surface. Figure 3 illustrates a double-faced construction, wherein two signboards ano es? v are mounted back to back on an interposed support 9,

illustrate the construction and mounting, Figure 2 shows 1 the lower case letter 0, identified by the numeral 10, and Figure 3 shows the letter 0 and a dash, identified by the numeral 11, mounted on opposite faces of the sign. Figure 4 gives further details of the construction, showing a portion of the letter 0. The characters each constitute thermoplastic sheet material formed into threedimensional characters having a pair of depending integral flanges 12. The flanges are continuations of opposite sides or ends 13 of the characters, and they are bent towards each other for engagement in a pair of channel portions 4 which have a recessed side 8. The raised characters, represented by the letter o, numbered 10, are formed with troughs or channels 14 therein resulting from the raised and three-dimensional construction from sheet material. They are thus hollow and lightweight, and are open at their back or base 7. This construction imparts stretchability or extensibility to the characters, so that they can be stretched somewhat in their longitudinal direction, to assist in mounting the characters on the signboard.

The characters may generally be mounted by simply placing them on the outer surface 6 of the signboard with the opposed flanges 12 of the characters placed adjacent the appropriate recessed channels 4, which are D and G in the illustration for the letter 0. The characters are then pressed against the surface of the signboard, so that l the flanges 12 spread and slide onto the respective channels, engaging the recessed sides 8. In some cases, it may be preferable to first insert one flange 12, then stretch the character slightly by pulling the other end, and insert the opposite flange 12 in its channel. In order to permit the characters and the flanges 12 to be pressed on in this manner, without buckling the flanges, and also to retain them on the signboard, the angle 0 (Figure 4) between the flanges and the bases of the characters is preferably between and 60, and it is 50 in the illustration. The inclined sides 8 of the channels 4 preferably make the same angle a with the plane of the signboard surface 6, as illustrated. However, the angle a. could be less. If it is greater, the characters are more likely to come off the signboard when not intended.

The channels A through H having inclined sides constitute a complete set for mounting all of the letters of the alphabet. Channels A and G are for the lower case I letters b, d, f, h, k and 1. Channels B and C are for dots.

Channels B and G are for the letter t. Channels D and G are for letters of the size of the letter 0. Channels E and F are for dashes. Channels D and H are for the letters g, j, p, q and y. The form of the invention illustrated is especially adapted for mounting lower case letters. However, upper case letters may be mounted as well. Additional channels 4 having recessed sides may be provided for various arrangements and types of char-. acters. Also, the set of recessed channels 4 represented by A through H can be repeated above and below, to furnish a plurality of lines. In this manner, the sign is especially useful for departmental identification in department stores and the like, carrying such identification as hardware, games-toys, and radio-television. Numerals may also be mounted on the board, and other characters might be provided such as illustrations of the items in that department or other pictorial characters.

An indentation 15 is made on the outer surface of each of the strip portions 3 under which a recessed channel side 8 extends, the indentation being adjacent the re cessed side. This is for the purpose of determining immediately the location of the recessed channels, for rapid and correct mounting of the characters. Eight of the indentations are thus provided adjacent the extremities of the strip portions. Other construction, marking or devices may be employed for indicating the location of the recessed channels, but the indentations are preferred as not being apparent from a distance and thus not affecting the appearance of the sign. r

The charactersmounted on the signboard 2, such as the o 10 and the dash 11, are of stiff yet flexible resilient thermoplastic organic'resinous sheet material formed into raised or three-dimensional hollow characters. The resinous material is moldable or may be formed into selfsupporting characters, which are relatively rigid and remain'trueto shape and size. Inasmuch as the flanges 12 are subjected to considerable bending or flexing, the material must be resistant to bending fatigue. For this purpose, the resinous material is preferably a synthetic addition polymer of the unsymmetrically substituted ethylene class, comprising resins obtained by the polymeriza tion or copolymerization of monomers containing a group, such as vinyl halides, vinyl esters, styrene and acrylics. Of the class, those polymers are employed which can be formed and will hold a shape. Consequently, polystyrene and vinyl polymers are preferred. On the other hand, experience has been that saran, a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride is not satisfactorily formed by vacuum forming methods. The preferred polymer is polystyrene, preferably high impact polystyrene. The polystyrene forms well and possesses the requisite physical properties. It is also economical and readily provided in a variety of colors.

Another preferred polymer is a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, preferably containing or greater by weight of vinyl chloride and the balance vinyl acetate. Other resinous materials which have the requisite physical characteristics may be employed, such as cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetae. However, these modified natural resinous materials are not so desirable. They are more susceptible to atmospheric influences, tending to absorb moisture and expand and contract. Cellophane is not satisfactorily formable and is therefore not employed. Celluloid is very inflammable and undesirable for making the letters, as by vacuum forming,'and in use on a sign.

It is a feature of the invention that the sign 1 composed of the signboard 2 and the characters presents a pleasing appearance, attracts attention, and is visible and readable from various angles and at considerable distances. This is in large part attributable to the provision of three-dimensional characters, that is, which have three major dimensions, each preferably greater than about At-inch. The signs thus have depth and furnish true perspective. In this manner, the signs are considerably more advantageous than those previously employed wherein the characters were substantially two-dimensional, i. e., the characters were constructed of fiat sheet material in two preferred dimensions and having only the thickness of the sheet.

The signboard 2 is constructed of one piece of sheet material which may be the same resinous material as employed for the characters. The physical requirements are, however, somewhat less, since there is no flexing or stretching. In fact, the signboard is preferably rigid and unyielding, furnishing a firm base and preserving the spacing and alignment of the strip portions 3 and the channel portions 4, and the angle a of the recessed sides 8. For this purpose, the sheet material forming the signboard 2 may have substantial thickness, e.g., 0.04 inch.

The thickness of the sheet material forming the characters may be 0.04 inch, before forming. After being formed, the sheet is thinner especially in the side walls a of the characters, which imparts greater flexibility, while the flanges 12 retain about the original thickness of the sheet. The outer wall, face or top 1012 of the characters which have a flat face also retains about the original sheet thickness, imparting rigidity. The material may be selected to give the preferrred characteristics in the signboard and in the characters. The signboard also is preferably formed of polystyrene, and another preferred material is vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, as in the characters.

Both the signboard 2 and the characters are preferably vacuum-formed out of a single sheet of resinous material, by known methods which involve the application of heat and vacuum, followed by cooling. The unitary characters, including the flanges 12, are thus molded in one operation, and the individual characters are cut or separated from the surrounding sheet material. The flanges 12 are preferably provided at opposite sides or ends of the characters, as illustrated at 13 in the drawings. The flanges are then turned towards each other, preferably by heating and softening their junctions with the sides 13 of the characters, and then bending the flanges and cooling. One pair of flanges may be sufficient, or additional flanges may be included on some of the characters. Thus, on the letter y, one flange is provided at the bottom of the letter and one flange is provided at the top of each of the arms of the y.

With the new construction, there is no need for sliding letters onto the signboard from the end of the board, but they may be pressed directly into position from the front. At the same time, the letters will slide along the board, to adjust their location and spacing.

The invention thus provides a very advantageous sign. It is lightweight and very attractive, preserving the decor of an establishment. The sign is economical, portable in nature, may be mounted in any desired location, and may readily be moved from place to place. The sign is versatile and may be used for identification purposes and for displaying letters, numerals and illustrations. The sign may be read easily from substantial distances and various positions. The plastic material is colored as desired, either providing the color in the initial sheet 4 material or coloring the surface after forming the articles. The economical nature of the characters renders it possible for an establishment to use a great variety of char- 6 acters, either keeping a large supply or discarding them as preferred, so that signs and displays may be moved and changed frequently.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A lightweight changeable sign which comprises a thermoplastic organic resinous sheet having a plurality of spaced parallel elongated strip portions formed therein and comprising the surface of said sheet, a corresponding plurality of spaced depending parallel elongated channel portions formed in said sheet and alternating with said strip portions, different said channel portions each having a side recessed towards the other, and threedimensional flexible resilient thermoplastic organic resinous characters of sheet material mountable on said sheet surface, said characters including integral flanges depending from opposite sides thereof and bent towards each other for snap-on engagement in said channel portions having a recessed side.

2. A lightweight changeable sign which comprises a rigid thermoplastic organic resinous sheet having a plurality of relatively wide spaced parallel elongated strip portions of equal Width formed therein and comprising the surface of said sheet, a corresponding plurality of relatively narrow spaced depending parallel elongated channel portions formed in said sheet and alternating with said strip portions, different said channel portions each having a side recessed towards the other, said sheet bearing indicia on the locations of said recessed sides, and extensible three-dimensional flexible resilient thermoplastic organic resinous characters of sheet material mountable on said sheet surface, said characters including integral flanges depending from opposite sides thereof and bent towards each other at angles of 40" to with the base of the characters for snap-on engagement in said channel portions having a recessed side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 654,936 Bigsby July 31, 1900 2,588,050 Rutherford Mar. 4, 1952 2,609,204 Wixson Sept. 2, 1952 2,663,105 Woodbury Dec. 22, 1953 2,745,201 Giuseppe et a1 May 15, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 103,975 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1917 504,565 Belgium July 31, 1951 159,891 Australia Nov. 19, 1954 

